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OPINION

Tolling, new bridge complaints | Letters

The RiverLink transponder cameras are set up above I-65 near the Kennedy Bridge in Jeffersonville. Personal vehicles with a transponder will pay $2 to cross; those without being registered will pay $4. Two axle vehicles taller than 7-1/2 feet will pay $5 to cross with a transponder.(Photo: Matt Stone, The C-J)Buy Photo

I used to come to Louisville several times a week ... key words being "used to." No longer.

Since the powers that be have decided to use $4 extortion fees to permit anyone to cross the bridges including the old Kennedy, I no longer spend my money in Kentucky.

If I have to go south, I will use the Clark or the Sherman bridges. I will never use a toll bridge!

The people who came up with these figures did not take into consideration the disastrous economic impact on the businesses on both sides of the river, or, then again, perhaps they did and just don't care as long as it puts money into their pockets!

The new restaurants, bars and shops in Jeffersonville that grew from the walking bridge — that are just beginning to flourish — will suffer greatly as a result of these ridiculous tolls. People who walked one way and rode back will stop. People who drove over for dinner or a craft beer will not want to tack an additional $8 onto their evening's bill.

People who live in one state and work in the other and already have to pay taxes and for parking now have to pay even more money just to cross a river that was once free.

The Clark and Sherman will not withstand the increased strain if traffic increases on them.

The residents of Clark, Floyd and Jefferson counties should either be exempt or pay a very low toll ... say $.25 ... other vehicles, $.50.

They people charging these fees are going to recoup their money quite quickly as it is without resorting to highway robbery ... no pun intended.

Paulette Kershner

Jeffersonville, Ind., 47130

Just finished reading the article on the opening of the East End bridge. I just want to make certain I have the facts correct. After spending over $1 billion on this project, those of us living on the Kentucky side of the bridge that want to walk or bike the bridge are expected to drive to Indiana (paying a toll, of course) in order to do this. Then we drive back to Kentucky (paying another toll, of course). This being due to there not being a plan for parking on the Kentucky side. Truly unbelievable!

There was a logical spot for parking just off River Road where all of the work trailers were located. This area has now been landscaped. Are we getting parking in future? I assume the chief engineer's or project manager's last name is not Einstein.

John Young

Prospect, Ky., 40059

So the authority in charge of the bridge tolls will charge EZPassers $5 if they don't use their pass at least once a year.

You remember a few years ago the Louisville Water Company hiked our rates because we weren't using enough water?

So now we have EXPassgate because it looks like the authority somehow got its hands on the LWC playbook.

Bottom line, kill the $5 penalty. You have had the use of my transponder for months and, if properly invested, should be making money off it. Isn't that enough?

David C. Miller

Louisville 4205

Shame on those bridge builders putting up a chain link fence in Prospect. Everyone should know Prospect does not allow chain link to be used for fencing in their city. Everyone should also know that the reason for those $120 million tunnels was to eliminate an on- and off-ramp to the bridge on Highway 42 to keep those people from coming into Prospect.

If they want a different fence, Prospect can allocate some of their $100,000 they are spending to stop apartments from being built just outside of their city limits. Prospect does not want those apartment dwellers crossing the street to shop in Prospect. We will see is they get their way there also.